Porter Wright honored for outstanding pro bono service

Porter Wright has received the 2014 "Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Law Firm" award from The Legal Aid Society of Columbus (LASC). The only firm awarded, Porter Wright joins four individual attorneys from Central Ohio recognized this year by the society for extraordinary commitment to pro bono service.

The firm received the award primarily for its work with LASC’s Volunteer Resource Center and Broad Street United Methodist Church clinic. LASC executive director Thomas Weeks said LASC is "deeply grateful" for Porter Wright’s pro bono participation. "This successful collaboration is due in large part to the collective leadership of Dave Shouvlin and Molly Crabtree," Weeks added. Shouvlin and Crabtree are both partners in the firm’s Litigation Practice Area. Crabtree also serves on the LASC board.

"Molly and Dave have tirelessly contributed to the Society’s mission of helping indigent and underrepresented people of Central Ohio," said Porter Wright Managing Partner, Robert "Buzz" Trafford. "The firm truly appreciates their ongoing service to our community."

LASC will honor its 2014 pro bono award recipients at a reception at the Columbus Bar on Oct. 23. Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, Maureen O’Connor, will be the keynote speaker the event, held annually to recognize and encourage pro bono participation with Central Ohio attorneys.

In addition to the LASC award, Porter Wright corporate paralegal Barry Kiser, received the 2014 "Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Paralegal" award in May of this year from the Columbus Bar Foundation and Association for his work at the Broad Street United Methodist Church clinic and other volunteer efforts. "Barry has been a consistent leader in this effort and is so well-thought of by so many involved in this good cause," said Curt Loveland, partner and chair of Porter Wright’s Corporate Department.

Porter Wright has a long history of pro bono commitment and leadership. Columbus Bar Association awarded the firm its "Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Law Firm" award in 2004. Porter Wright attorneys have also been recognized in recent years by the Columbus Bar with the "Outstanding Pro Bono Service by an Individual" awarded in 2013 to Shouvlin, and to Kathleen Trafford in 2001. Additionally, Joyce Edelman received the CBA’s President’s Award in 2008 for pro bono work in leading a team of 40 lawyers and staff in litigation that resulted in nearly $6.4 million in fines for an illegal trust mill scheme that preyed on the elderly.